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FACT: Any political attack of free speech relative to time, space, and content must consider the well known phrase of the Declaration of Independence and it’s unalienable rights of “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness”. No authority shall abridge those freedoms while exercising the greatest degree of tolerance for the freedom of the people…

Port Townsend Ammendment: … and we the people of the City Council are elected to determine what the majority considers “tolerant”.

[Site Editor Note: The reporting on this case in most media is so blatantly biased against Arhata Osho, it’s almost comical. Almost. Arhata is being bullied by a city council too embarrassed to admit they’ve been reactive and less than decent to a community member; as a result tax payers are bearing the brunt of a sincerely hyped up situation. It’s harassment. See Points To Ponder Below.]

The signs never took up 50 -60 feet in any location in Port Townsend. At the most, the signs took up approximately 20 – 30 feet. We realize that there is a video (it’s available on this website at the media page) where Arhata himself claims that his display might have been up to 40 feet, but review of pictures and commentary point to that statement being an exaggeration.

The incident describing how Arhata allegedly became “defiant” is stunning in it’s conclusion and a waste of tax payers money. He had been approached by a police officer who began MEASURING (for the love of God) the FREE SPEECH display and found it to be about 26″ too long and 8″ too wide. According to Arhata, things had to be placed in such a way to prevent ‘wind blow over’. He was attempting to make sure that the few signs he is allowed to have were secure and safe for viewing, which has always been a point of consciousness for him. We’re talking about a 2 acre space with generally very few people walking through at a time. As a result of this ridiculous abuse of resources, Arhata was threatened with arrest and cited.

If this was a table filled with Apple Pies for sale sending the proceeds to our Veterans or an animal shelter, they could take up as much space as they wish.

Situational ethics is the reason we have a judicial system. Think about it.

If Arhata cozied up to the City Council and managed to fund community projects or leased a business space while voicing his opinion, he would be welcomed with open arms. In Port Townsend, Money Talks First. With no citizen watch group oversight, that obscene political correctness is buoyed by ‘entitlement of power’.

DECEMBER 2014 | PORT TOWNSEND — Free-speech activist Arhata Osho, aka Erik Olson, is set to be sentenced today, Dec. 10, for violating the City of Port Townsend’s sidewalk ordinances earlier this year.READ THE ARTICLE HERE

JULY 2014 | PORT TOWNSEND — A man charged with violating the city’s ordinance limiting the size of free speech displays has again agreed to comply with the law, two weeks after receiving two citations for going beyond the proscribed limit.

On Wednesday, Richard Erik Olson, who goes by the name Arhata Osho, told Jefferson County District Court Judge Jill Landes that he would comply with the limit until his trial date, which Landes set for Sept. 25.

Olson’s display, which has been located in the same spot at Pope Marine Park for more than a year, extended 50-60 feet across the park’s brickwork before the new Port Townsend city code became effective March 18.READ THE ARTICLE HERE

4 comments

While I appreciate the sentiment, I think the biggest issue anyone has with your operation is the amount of space you take up. Have A sign, maybe two, but that’s it. You don’t need to paint everything black and white. It would be a lot easier to get your point (s) across with a little humility.

Seems like you’ve lived a life; I’m sure you know by now it’s not just what you say, it’s how you say it. Presentation and delivery is everything.

Dear Scooby Doo — if the biggest issue was the “Biggest Issue” why wasn’t Arhata invited to any of the “how big should displays be?” discussions? Why weren’t any of the people affected by the City Council decisions invited to the pow wow? Arhata was approached by at least two business owners who expressed not a small amount of hostility when his Free Speech as Art program was closer to the middle of downtown. He moved to accommodate their requests in spite of their negativity, and without making a fuss or a scene.
Common sense should have prevailed right along with some decency for all involved. Clearly an ordinance was becoming necessary in order to avoid future debacles possibly less intriguing than a Free Speech as Art and a precedent had to be set, but why did this situation evolve without consciousness or communication from the law makers?With no citizen watch group oversight, that obscene political correctness is buoyed by ‘entitlement of power’.
Humility is for monks and nuns. This isn’t a temple and this isn’t a discussion regarding personal pride. Thank God our founding fathers had enough “humility” to make it possible for you and I to have this virtual discussion. How’s that for black and white?

The issue isn’t size.
The issue is the blatant disregard for the foundation of your rights as a citizen, and the apathy by uninformed people who simply are not aware that those rights are slowly being siphoned away.
Go ahead, keep turning your head in the other direction, keep quiet and don’t cause a fuss. Someone might care, dear. And we can’t have that.

Eric , the real Christians not catholic , fought and died for free speech . For some reason i’ve missed that there were size requirements in the Bill of Rights & Constitution . The one thing we must never give up is the right to free speech as all other Rights lean on this one to be true & self evident . Without free speech we as a great nation are mind /brain dead and the powers that be don’t like free speech.You hang in there ! God has Your back ,,,,God Bless You & All the Free Speech things that you do
Peace ,Dr. Fishkisser phd.

Thank you lots!!
It’s the life key of this society!
I’m soon to be in my 3rd court to appeal losses in the other two. Washington State appeal court. Need a pro bono attorney and will start looking this week. Appreciate ‘appreciation as it adds to my juice to carry on
Blessing,
Arhata